A woman who headbutted a West Cumbria pub customer has been spared prison — but heard a judge say that “the ice on which she now is skating could not be thinner”.
Carlisle Crown Court heard today how the victim was sat at a table drinking with friends when Star Lysette Higgins walked in and approached her on July 11, 2020.
Higgins, now 31, grabbed the woman’s clothing, pulled her out of a chair and to her feet before head-butting her once to the face.
Her victim fell backwards having suffered an injury which was treated with steri-strips and glue.
But she had been left with scarring which caused her to feel self-conscious and undergone counselling.
On her way to hospital, the victim had received a WhatsApp call from Higgins and a male she had been with, laughing about the incident.
And, in an impact statement, the woman spoke of being terrified Higgins would approach and attack her again.
Higgins herself described CCTV footage showing her criminal conduct as disgusting, and admitted a grievous bodily harm charge.
Judith McCullough, defending, said: “The defendant’s remorse in respect of this offence is genuine and she is very sorry for what she has done.”
Recorder Richard Archer said he had been minded to send Higgins, of Station Road, Workington, to prison, saying: “Violence in licensed premises must always be treated extremely seriously.”
But after receiving reports that Higgins was showing some signs of being able to rehabilitate herself, was pregnant and in a stable relationship, the judge suspended a 58-week jail term for two years.
Higgins must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement and was banned from contacting her victim for three years.
She heard Recorder Archer sound a warning to her barrister about future conduct, and that “the ice on which is now skating could not be thinner”.
